# Accident 20240725009249A: Lake LA-4, Catskill, NY, July 25, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 25, 2024, 17:00 local time
- Place: Catskill, NY
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.2084° N, 73.8503° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2084&lon=-73.8503&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1166L, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1166L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Lake LA-4 (registry code 5110302, https://openairdocs.org/model/lake-la-4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAKE LA-4
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 500 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA324) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240725009249A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 07/25/2024, A LAKE AMPHIBIOUS LA-4 AIRCRAFT, WITH ONLY THE PILOT ON BOARD, OPERATED A PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 AND WAS DEPARTING NORTHBOUND FROM THE HUDSON RIVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEPARTING, A SUDDEN CHANGE IN A WIND GUST MADE THE AIRCRAFT SHIFT FURTHER CAUSING ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT WINGS TO MAKE NOSE DOWN CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER AND RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OF THE AIRCRAFT.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE SHIFT BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  THE AREAS OF DAMAGE INCLUDE THE TAIL AND BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WING FLOATS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE CONTACT WITH THE RIVER CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN WEST, AND PARTIALLY SUBMERGE IN THE WATER IN THE VICINITY OF A LOCAL MARINA.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE RIVER BY MARINA PERSONNEL USING A LULL AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SET ONTO A BOAT TRAILER.  NO INJURED WERE SUSTAINED DURING THIS EVENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA24LA324](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA324), Jul 25, 2024: Lake LA4 (N1166L), Catskill, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a takeoff from water in gusting wind conditions.

## Other reports on N1166L (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20120409004429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120409004429I), Apr 9, 2012: Lake LA-4 (N1166L), Clewiston, FL, Minor damage. While in curise flight engine blew a cyclinder.
- [Incident 20120327003919I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120327003919I), Mar 27, 2012: Lake LA-4 (N1166L), Clewiston, FL, No damage. Aircraft departed immokalee (imm) airport on climb out at 1000 feet experienced engine surging. Turn on fuel boost pump and continued climb to 2000 feet. Was…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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